Category: Culture

In the city of Girona: the Jewish quarter Bonastruc ça Porta, where you’ll find the Patronat Call de Girona, which houses the Museum of Jewish History and the Nahmanides Institute for Jewish Studies.
In Besalú: the Mikvé (the only remains of a Jewish purification bath in Spain)
In Castelló d’Empúries: a small Jewish quarter, less important than that of Girona. Through these visits, we can follow the footprints that were left in this region by the Jewish people and culture before their final expulsion in 1492.

Dalí Triangle.Visit the Teatro-Museo Dalí in Figueres, and the permanent exhibit of jewelry designed by Dalí. In Portlligat you will find the Casa-Museo Dalí, open for visits with reservation. Museu- Castell Púbol (Gala’s Púbol Castle), also by reservation, is the castle that Dalí gave his wife Gala as a present in the Baix Empordà town of Púbol. The castle was hers alone, and Dalí was only allowed in when invited, which apparently was almost never! Our guest’s favorite visit: Casa-Museo in Portlligat.

The most important Greco-Roman ruins of the province of Girona, are found in Empúries. In Ullastret, you can visit the remains of an Iberian settlement, as well as the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia.

Near Figueres, in Vilabertran, the imposing Augustinian monastery of Santa Maria de Vilabertran. In the Natural Park of Cap de Creus, the Benedictine abbey of Sant Pere de Rodes. In the Natural Park of the Albera, in Rabós, the ruins of the also Benedictine Sant Quirze of Colera abbey, and in La Jonquera, the huge Requesens Castle (a bit of a walk to get there, and it’s visiting hours are short. This is best seen by booking a guided tour). The Sant Ferran castle, in Figueres, is Europe’s largest defensive fortress. In Torroella, in the Baix Empordà, the Montgrí Castle. In Peralada, the castle, with its museums and library, is worth a visit. The town of Peralada also houses one of Catalonia’s largest vineyard, and casino. En route to the Mare de Deu del Mont in Vilademat, find the ruins of the monastery of Sant Llorenç de Sous.

Immortal City. The City of the 1000 sieges. From the impressive cathedral, the promenade on the fortressed wall, the streets of the gothic quarter, the Devesa park, Temps de Flors in May, Independence Square, the Jewish Quarter, bridges, concerts in the Auditorium, Museum of Cinema, and many other attractions, make Girona a must see.

Our favorite things to do in Girona are to walk around the old quarter. Stop at a tapas bar or pub and have a beer, or a glass of wine and a tapa. These are fortifying for the many steps required to reach the main portal of the cathedral.

Girona has a history that dates back to before the Romans. Although you may not find many remains of a pre-Roman history, you will find the impressively carved boulders that the Romans laid out in their construction of the fortified wall to protect the city.

The small town of Sant Llorenç de la Muga in the Catalan region of the Alt Empordà is considered by the Patronat de Girona as one of the most charming ones in the province. It has remained a secret from the masses because of its remote location, and preserves its old world character.

Sant Llorenç is hidden in the valley of the Muga river, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It is completely encircled by a 7 foot-thick defensive wall constructed in the 12th century, with 2 gated entrances and several watch towers. One of the towers is located within the hotel’s property and houses a unique hexagonally-shaped junior suite.

The houses have been restored in recent years and the town council has embellished every village square.

The Muga river forms a small beach on its way through the village, but the best places to swim are in the natural pools of Sant Antoni and Albanyà.

Behind the church of Sant Llorenç, there are two sources of mineral water. “The Pudosa” fountain, named after its smell, is sulphurous and beneficial for skin treatments. The “Palanca” fountain, accessed through the modern metal bridge, has some of the best drinking spring water in the region. The water is not controlled by laboratory, so drink at your own risk. The locals certainly do!

There are spectacular places to visit or picnic in throughout the course of the river. The small hermitage of Saint Anthony (Sant Antoni) is flanked by a beautiful medieval bridge. Small lagoons and waterfalls are hidden from the beaten path for those who are willling to explore in Albanyà. Further down the river, the Boadella reservoir offers several water sports available during the summer and early fall.

The mountains that shelter our town, suffuse us with an aura of peace and tranquility, but also offer the active hiker trails of differing difficulty. During the spring, a stroll around the countryside will surprise you with a bounty of wild asparagus. During the fall, compete with the residents of this region, and throw yourself heart and soul to mushroom “hunting”.